A/N: 2500 words... Is Shad happy??? Noooooooooooo. She'll want ANOTHER update. And probably to kill me after this one is done. HEHEHEHHEEEEE.
A 2nd N: No, I haven't ditched this one. Yet.
A 3rd N: BLUEY! COME HOME!!!
A 4th N: I have NO idea why this has been uploaded without the ending quotes. It was NOT a typo on my part. In the preview section during uploading, it doesn't show them. Who knows why. I don't.
Gohan had never felt so desperate in his life as he did when he heard the great dragon's answer to his wish.
"No such person is found within my realm."
Nor pissed off. Mikayla was in DEEP shit when she returned. Gohan glared at Piccolo.
"I told you before. I'm no longer hiding her ki. I haven't been able to detect it to conceal it.
"Great Dragon... I make my wish for the future...
Piccolo barely took notice of his student's desire, nor the fact that he requested to make his second wish at a later date. He was still concentrating on locating the missing girl's ki.
"It Shall Be Done.
As the distraught man watched the dragonballs scatter, he racked his brain for another means... another hope... to find his lady love. The answer came as one shiny ball gleamed in the dawn light against the brilliant morning sky.
"Baba.
"The reason you are to wed him," Kitala croaked, "is that he IS the heart... the Forest's Heart. And the Daughter and the Heart are always born together, wed together, lay together, and die together. That is the way it has been for centuries.
"I don't understand.
"Our tribe has been called many things. Gypsies. Wiccans. Pagans. Thieves. Witches. We are neither. We worship no god, nor goddess. We practice no black magic, and we take only what the forest provides to us.
"But Kaiya...
"We are closely related to the Gypsies, and that is what is easiest for most people to understand. But we are most like the faeries. Not with our bodies, but with our beliefs. If we protect and care for the forest, it shall protect and care for us. The flora in our world can perform miracles sometimes, but it is not a trick or illusion. It is pure magic.
"And the Heart...?
"When the very first tribe came about, a lone woman stood up and pulled everyone together. She discovered herself the wonders of the forest... what is safe... and what is not. Their survival was due solely to her tenacity. Yet she was fragile inside, and one never dared to ever raise but the gentlest hand to her. She was like a daughter to the whole tribe. And so, she became. Daughter. She led everyone deep into the forest, and with the help of the faeries, learned a bit of magic.
"And... this Daughter...?
"Was the first. Your ancestor. She was brave, and beautiful. No one ever knew how scared she was inside.
Mik cast down her eyes.
"One day, she was in the forest alone, singing. She sang a song that was so sad, the trees cried. And borne from their tears was a beautiful young man. He stood before her, naked and shining from the shed moisture, and looked upon her with love. He took her as his wife, and protected her. She never felt or knew evil.
"Pure? Untainted? NOT like me.
"My darling, you have known evil, and even evil which you cannot imagine. Heart has not been able to be there to protect you. But all that shall change.
"So Ramon is my ancestor, too?
"No. He is not of your blood. The Heart is born randomly to a member of our community. We are never sure when or where he will be. But when he IS born, and the heart shaped birthmark is present on his body, the Daughter becomes pregnant with her first child, whom will marry the Heart when they are of age. Ramon is nine months your senior...
"I cannot take him as my husband.
"I suggest you wait before deciding fully what you will do in that situation. Now, I have more incantations I need to teach you then we will go to the grave of the young man murdered yesternight and learn what secrets it hides.
"I'm sorry, Gohan. But if I can't find her in my crystal ball, then she doesn't exist.
She exists! She does!
Gohan reached into his wallet with shaking hands, and extracted her photo. Her violet eyes shone bright, and her smile... kami.... "Please, Baba... look again. Look for her. There must be SOMETHING. Please....?
Baba sighed sadly and took the picture. She glanced respectfully at it and what she saw warranted giving it another good look. "I have seen this woman before, but not in this time.
"Tell me... anything! Where have you seen her?
"In a place my powers will never be able to penetrate. A charmed place. Give it up, boy. Neither one of us will be able to find her if she is there.
"I will never give up.
They stood before the grave of the deceased, and Mik noticed that there were quite a few fresh graves.
Curiously, even though she knew these recent deaths were due to the evil hidden within the tribe, she only found lingering traces, like a passing thought, and certainly not the signature amount she expected. Like she could feel still thriving within the village.
Her crystal glowed blue and radiated a soft warmth.
"Ramon is near," Kitala breathed.
"Dammit.
"He is to protect you and will follow you to the ends of the earth if necessary. Don't treat him lightly.
Mik sighed, feeling it futile to bring up her true intended and instead fingered the ring Gohan had given her.
"Now... relax... and listen. The earth, the body, and the wind will talk to you. You must only hear them.
Mikayla closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her stomach. She started first with the air, listening closely to pick out any sounds that felt out of place.
There was nothing.
"Again," Kitala spoke, "try again.
She sank to her knees and placed her hands on the disturbed ground. A thought came to her, appearing suddenly, urging her to try and concentrate on... what? A face? A shape? A shape of a something... a someone... someone... large....
Under her hands something else exploded and knocked her backwards into a nearby tree. Kitala frowned.
"Not just evil... but evil magic.... this... is severe....
Mikayla groaned as she stood up. A bright, golden burst of liight knocked her flat on her back again.
"Oh dear, excuse me, pardon me," a familiar crystalline voice sang.
Another groan. "I've felt this headache before....
"Yes am VERY sorry about that. Bluey's not quite used to her new wings, you see.
"But I AM trying!
"AND off the topic as it were... again...
Mikayla blinked as another fairy appeared before her vision, Bluey having picked herself up and hovering over her with a concerned look. This new fairy had subdued orange wings with a deep golden glitter, surrounded with a darker orange aura.
What the hell....?
"Hn. I think she's broken.
"Humans don't break, Shaddie. They get broken arms, broken noses, broken hearts, broken legs, but a whole human being breaking? I don't recollect ever hearing that happen...
Mikayla blinked.
"Well... I suppose it COULD happen.
"Mikayla!" Kitala had run up cautiously, so as to not frighten the fragile creatures floating above the Daughter.
"I'm all right," Mik stated as she sat up, then slowly stood.
Bluey beamed. "See? Not broken." Shaddie rolled her eyes.
"Gentle creatures," Kitala spoke, "how may we be of service to you?
"Old Mother. Our Queen has sent us for the Daughter. What runs in the forest affects us as well so she has much to discuss with her. I am the Queen's Council, Shad." (*holds up Shadow Phenix sock puppet: -_-;;)
"I'm the Queen's Scholar, Bluey. We've come to escort the Daughter, as no human has ever found the way to our home.
"Old Mother, you are welcome as well.
"We thank you for your hospitality, gentle creatures, and will join you immediately.
(*****MARY SUE ALERT! ^.^ Couldn't help it! *BIG GRIN* Don't worry, it's short lived******)
It felt to Mikayla that they were merely going around in circles, and instantly recognized it as some sort of spell. But it wasn't long until they reached a beautiful clearing with a little pond being fed by a little stream. What surprised Mikayla about the place, was there was a person already there, sitting on a tree trunk, talking animatedly with a faerie with violet wings with a light blue shimmer to them.
Bluey took off and landed right on the lavender hair of the lady on the tree trunk, as Shad flew up to her right shoulder, and the violet faerie flew up to her left. The lady turned and smiled to Mik.
"Thank you for coming," the third faerie said. "I'm the Queen's Captain, Pareathe. And this is our Queen... Her Royal Highness Burned." (GO ME!!!) All three faeries gave a low bow from their stationary positions. The queen lifted her violet gaze to her guests.
"Welcome... to my home.
"You sent for us, Highness?" (GAWD, am I loving this!! ^.^)
Mikayla suddenly felt weary with an overwhelming feeling that was compelling her to sit at the Queen's feet... and maybe even rest her head in the royal lap.... But she dared no disrespect until she heard a soft voice near her ear saying that it was okay, to sit with the Queen.
So she did just that. She sat at the Queen's feet, and laid her head on the soft lap. The Queen's dress was long and warm colored with a soothing dark purple. It almost seemed to urge her to close her eyes. She did close them then, when gentle hands ran their fingers through her hair and rubbed her forehead repeatedly.
Soon the Daughter was fast asleep.
The Queen glanced up then to Kitala and smiled softly. "She has had such a hard journey.
"Yes, Your Majesty.
"I want to help.
"If Your Majesty wishes.
"I do.
When Mikayla awoke, she felt completely refreshed. She felt safe. Warm. And began to cry.
"Only when we cry, can we truly begin to heal.
"I'm far past healing.
"No, Daughter, you are not. You live. Living is healing. The only thing we can't recover from, is death....
Mik chewed on that thought awhile. She had been through so much.... how could she ever heal... and some parts.... She winced without finishing the thought.
"I can help you find what hunts your kin in the forest. I can help you discover the evil. I wish I had the answers I could give you, but I don't know them. But I will help you find them. My faeries have eyes and ears all over the forest, but we lack magic enough to discover what hides from us as well as you.
"But... I thought...
The Queen looked so sad, it paused Mikayla. "We are dieing.
There was no elaboration.
"My faeries have seen shadows in the north eastern section of forest, and felt such dismality, they return broken hearted. Yet the reason why remains lost in whispers and shadows.
"How can you help me?
Burned smiled and removed a tiny instrument from around her neck. "This is the Queen's Trill. Place it to your lips and blow. The sound it creates can only be heard by my three Trusted, Council, Captain, and Scholar. They will be able to tell you what they have felt, heard, seen, and know. And they will appear to you when you call them.
Mikayla accepted the tiny whistle and hung it around her own neck. Burned then removed a bracelet from around her wrist and handed it to Mikayla as well.
"This is the Queen's Barrier. It creates an invisible shield around you to protect you from spells and weapons. It has a temperature regulator, so even in the most tempest of climates, you shall remain warm and dry. It also prevents others from being able to detect your scent, breath, and shadow.
It was only Kitala that notice the worried glances the three tiny faeries shared. And a tiny gasp was audible when the Queen removed the ring on her right middle finger.
"This is the Queen's Dream. Once commanded, it will set a spell of sleep on anyone in the same room as you. The spell can only be cast once a day, so call upon it wisely."
Mikayla slipped the ring upon her own finger, and found it to fit perfectly. Upon close inspection, she found an inscription and guessed it to be the short incantation to release the spell. "How can I ever thank you, Your Majesty?"
"Save our home. Save our forest. I know it is a lot to ask, but I believe that you can do it. You are so much like her, your ancestor." Burned's smile was sad, and Mikayla felt a pang of sorrow tug at her own heart.
Mikayla nodded. Kitala gently took her elbow.
"We must return to the graves, Your Majesty."
"Farewell, old Mother. Farewell, Daughter."
They watched Mikayla disappear back into the forest, towards her village.
"Your Majesty, without your jewels, you will be vulnerable.
"I know, my Captain.
"Your Majesty, do you think that was wise?
"Yes, Council, I do.
Scholar scratched her tiny head. She opened her mouth to speak, then thought better of it.
In case any of you can't tell, that's me and the BB. =P
THANK YOU'S:
alannapurple - Yes it's weird... and starting to get even weirder... I HAVE NO CONTROL ANYMORE!!!
Aisuki *Formally Known As Vie* - Well ONE of them will make an encore performance =P
Lillith Nightdemon - And you are over here as well ^.^ You must be my most versatile fan ^.^ I think that deserves a prize! *looks around* Chocolate pie? *holds out an extra large, chocolate and whipped cream pie*
VTSFY - *blinks back*